I think anyone who follows names in the paper crafting world will agree that Authentique is a continual parade of fresh ideas, colors and designs. Today’s steal, the Fresh collection by Authentiqueis just that—Fresh! (Appropriately named, Authentique! Well done!) The refreshing blend of blues, grays, reds and vintage designs are the perfect combo for today’s Monday Card Madness creations.

I absolutely adore the mini prints that come in the 6×6 pads—especially when it comes to making cards. I kept to a pretty simple theme with the cards in order to show off the gorgeous designs. I used my Cameo to cut out a simple scallop border and backed the windows with a different print of paper for a little variety.

I also cut out a multiple layered flower in different patterns, alternating the colors so that the flowers really show dimension and show off the collection.

For a little variety on the 4th card I made I turned to my stash for some coordinating flowers and layered them. Instead of a die cut border I layered two papers, ripping the bottom edge of the lower paper. I also added ribbon to the tab on this card rather than twine.

For my final card I had to use the sheet of paper that has the vintage ladies and postcards. I replaced my scalloped border with washi and voila! A card that I’m really quite fond of!

As always, creating with the rich textures and colors of Authentique is fab, fun and Fresh.

It’s been another great week around the halls of the ScrapbookSteals Facebook fan page. If you haven’t ever stopped by be sure to check it out! Lots of inspiration every day.

One more thing, if you didn’t already know we love to give things away at ScrapbookSteals!

If you’d like to enter to win our October Monday Card Madness swag package:

Who said exercise has to make you all sweaty and stinky? Not me! In fact, I’m thinking today’s steal, the Fiskars Squeeze and Lever Punches, might just become the next hot fitness trend. Let’s face it, we busy ladies like to multitask! So why not combine crafting with strength training, even if it is just those forearms getting an itty-bitty workout? Your projects will also be transformed into something sleek and sexy with one of these amazing punches, so it’s a total win!

I had so much fun working with the punches today that I couldn’t settle on one particular sketch design. However, I don’t want to leave you all longing so I created this week’s sketch based off my favorite card this week.

I love how easily the banner squeeze punch works. It’s honestly kind of like slicing through room temperature butter! So much for building those muscles, but hoorah for building cute cards!

Of course the banners were calling to be used again…

…and again!

Then I made a couple of cards using the Jenni Bowlin Grandma’s Doily punch. It works great to create a window border.

Or to add a simple splash.

Gotta love a card that packs a punch!

The cards that have been popping up on our Facebook page this week have been amazing! I particularly loved this card by Charissa Miller.

Just in case you didn’t know we love to give away free scrappy swag to those of you that participate in our Monday Card Madness sketches.

If you’d like to enter to win our September Monday Card Madness swag package:

Here’s a little secret for you: for 39 years of my life I thought bleu cheese had to be about the most vile thing on the planet. Over this past year my taste buds have finally awoken to the glorious taste! (Or perhaps I’m just a little more sophisticated in my older age.)

Luckily it didn’t take 39 years to appreciate the beauties of today’s steal, thePink Paislee Indigo Bleu collection. The relaxing blend of yellows and blues with the twist of a little French flair is perfect for paper crafting.

I let the design of my cards be inspired by the embellishments in today’s collection.

I really love the warm, vintagey feel of the tags in this collection so used a combination of papers, banner stickers, and a tag to design the card.

I repeated the same design for my second card and added a rubon “thank you” sentiment.

Some of the tags in this collection are horizontal in format, so I flipped the sketch and made this card.

Then I put a twist on the tag and used some of the conversation bubbles in the embellishments to replace the tag on the sketch.

I love how the design continues to morph as I create. This is what I came up with for my final card and I think it’s my favorite of the bunch!

The cards that I’ve seen popping up this week on Facebook are darling! I want to give a shout out to Kassandra Missen and the lovely card she created based off of last week’s sketch.

Well done Kassandra! Who knows, you may even find yourself being our lucky monthly winner for this darling creation.

If you’d like to enter to win our September Monday Card Madness swag package:

If there’s one kind of embossing I’m actually quite fond of, it’s dry embossing. No ink, no powder, no mess! I love being able to give a flat piece of paper dimension with the simple crank of a handle. Today’s steal, theLifestyle Crafts Embossing Folders, are so much fun! I’m especially excited about the chevron embossing folder. Not only is it my current favorite print, but my current favorite print with dimension.

I just have to say, I had so. much. fun. making cards this week. Cards usually stump me for just a bit, but not these babies. I prefer a cleaner look with dry embossing to make the raised designs to really be the focus. I think that helped make these cards come together in a visually pleasing and super quick way.

Of course, the first template I reached for was the chevron print. A-maz-ing! I created this super simple thank you card by embossing a sheet of cardstock, trimming along the bottom of one of the rows of chevrons, and adding elements I cut out with my Silhouette.

I couldn’t stop at just one card using the chevron print so I made this card, which is probably my favorite card that I have ever made! I embossed a sheet of kraft cardstock, punched out some circles, then gently used my We R Memory Keepers Sweetheart Inkers and inked the raised portion of the embossing. I love how this turned out!

Next I used the the zig-zag embossing folder and made this thank you card using the same idea as the sketch for this week.

I was really enjoying the look of the embossing on the kraft cardstock so I carried on with that trend. I used one of the embossing folders from the “woven” collection to create this card.

I then finished up my card making spree with a cut out portion of the other embossing folder from the “woven” collection.

I cannot say enough loving comments about embossing folders. Now I need to get my little tooskey over to steal today before the “twirl” set is gone. That one totally has my name written all over it!

One more thing! If you don’t already know we love to give things away at ScrapbookSteals.com.

If you’d like to enter to win our September Monday Card Madness swag package:

Sew you want to add a little pizazz to your project but aren’t quite sure what it’s lacking? Today Design Team member Katrina Huntshows us how easily the We R Memory Keepers Sew Ribbon can add spice to your project and help put a dent in the gorgeous ribbon collections we’re all hoarding.

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Hey ScrapbookSteals.com fans, Katrina here with a fun little tool that I got to use for my design team assignment. It’s the Sew Ribbon tool from We R Memory Keepers.

These are nifty little gadgets that come in a variety of styles that you can use. I used two for my project today, the Flower and Scallop. I actually had the Scallop in my stash of tools, so I had a pretty good idea of how these work. I also got the Sew Ribbon Purple and Violet ribbon packs.

On my first project I wanted to use the Flower tool. I used it to “cross-stitch” and this particular punch is just about like that, except you are using ribbon to stitch with.

The ombre trend (or graduation in color) is one of the hot trends right now, The ribbon packs are perfect to try this with. The tool is easy to line up if you just watch carefully and take your time. This is such a simple card to make, but packs a punch with the variation of color. I added a punched border strip with ribbon, a phrase sticker, and some butterflies I hand cut out of Little Yellow Bicycle Elizabeth Park paper I had.

I wanted to show these would also work on a layout. I used the Scallop tool for this one. I pulled out my Studio Calico Heyday collection (which I got on ScrapbookSteals and is available in the archive!) and got to work. I decided on my first couple of layers so I would know where I wanted to place my punch. Then I punched my holes and sewed my ribbon in place as the first step of my layout.

I added a small bow at the bottom because, well, I like bows! This ribbon is from my stash. It was a little wide by a smidge, but it worked.

That’s all from me today and this is one of the last times I will be on the blog. I have had SO MUCH fun working with Kristy, Brittany, Regina, Kerys and the entire ScrapbookSteals.com team.

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Gosh Katrina! I’m getting a little bit misty thinking about this term coming to an end. It’s been such a true delight to work with you. As always, it was such a treat to see your creations and I know you will continue to hang out and share with us. Good thing we will have one last hoorah with all three of you girls on the last Friday of the month!

I hope everyone has a great weekend! Be safe. Have fun. And get scrappy.